contradictory

1 of 2

adjective

con·​tra·​dic·​to·​ry ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē How to pronounce contradictory (audio)
: involving, causing, or constituting a contradiction
contradictory statements
The witnesses gave contradictory accounts of the accident.
contradictorily adverb
contradictoriness noun

contradictory

2 of 2

noun

con·​tra·​dic·​to·​ry
plural contradictories
: a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 2a) so related to another that if either of the two is true the other is false and if either is false the other must be true
Choose the Right Synonym for contradictory

opposite, contradictory, contrary, antithetical mean being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable.

opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.

opposite views on foreign aid

contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.

made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall

contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.

contrary assessments of the war situation

antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.

a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy

Examples of contradictory in a Sentence

Adjective contradictory predictions regarding stock prices that were of no help to investors at all
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The great liberal hope is that Gandhi can achieve contradictory things: use his dynastic privilege to resuscitate his party, and dissolve the dynasty at the same time. Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024 American society has a confused, contradictory relationship with animals. Ben Goldfarb, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contradictory 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contradictory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French contraditoire, contradictoire, borrowed from Late Latin contrādictōrius, from Latin contrādic-, variant stem of contrādīcere "to speak against, object to" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at contradict

Noun

earlier, "contradictory proposition, inconsistency," going back to Middle English contradictorie, borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French contradictoire, borrowed from Late Latin contrādictōria, noun derivative from feminine of contrādictōrius contradictory entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contradictory was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near contradictory

Cite this Entry

“Contradictory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contradictory. Accessed 5 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

contradictory

adjective
con·​tra·​dic·​to·​ry
ˌkän-trə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē
: involving, causing, or being a contradiction
contradictory statements
contradictoriness
-t(ə-)rē-nəs
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!